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German B2C and B2B transactional portals run on the framework we are developing! Fashion affiliate turned into responsible gaming PhD
Miruna Pandele’s journey into the world of iGaming is anything but typical. From her beginnings in fashion affiliate marketing to her current pursuit of a PhD in Responsible Gaming (RG), her story is a testament to adaptability, a passion for positive impact, and a keen understanding of the evolving landscape of online gambling. This blog post delves into key takeaways from a recent interview with Miruna, exploring her unique career trajectory, her research into gambling addiction, and her insights on ethical management in the fast-paced world of crypto-based iGaming.
From Upwork to iGaming – An unconventional start
Miruna’s entry into iGaming was serendipitous. An offer on Upwork led her to affiliate management for an iGaming company, initially a confusing prospect. “I didn’t even know what ‘igaming’ was!” she admits. She quickly learned it encompassed casino gambling, sports betting, and esports. The deciding factor in accepting the position? A strong connection with her superior. This highlights a crucial theme that resonates throughout her career: the importance of positive leadership.
The drive for impact – From affiliate management to PhD research
After four years in iGaming, including speaking at industry conferences, Miruna felt a pull to make a more significant contribution. Leveraging her background in social research (Master’s in Sociology), she embarked on a PhD at the Romanian Academy, focusing on Responsible Gaming. This decision was fueled by a desire to conduct impactful research and innovate within the industry. A conversation with a supportive manager, who recognized her academic background, solidified her choice to focus on RG. The relevance of RG in Armenia’s gambling landscape, coupled with her academic interests, made it the perfect fit.
Unpacking the PhD – Addiction studies and AI-powered solutions
Miruna’s PhD thesis delves into the social impact of gambling in Armenia, with a particular focus on minors’ access to casinos. Her research applies established theories from drug and alcohol addiction studies to the realm of gambling. She aims to introduce innovative solutions, including the use of AI to predict addictive behavior and challenge common misconceptions about operators’ motivations regarding addicted players. Her ultimate goal is to provide easily accessible support for individuals struggling with gambling problems.
AI and addiction – A glimpse into the future of responsible gaming
A key area of Miruna’s research explores the potential of AI in identifying and predicting problem gambling behavior. While acknowledging that current efforts are largely reactive and that regulators and operators often disagree on solutions, she believes AI offers a promising path forward.
One potential application is analyzing player behavior to identify addiction patterns, regardless of bet size. This is crucial because, as Miruna points out, gambling addiction is often wrongly associated solely with the amount wagered. AI can analyze a multitude of factors, offering a more nuanced and accurate assessment of risk.
She even envisions a startup centered around AI-powered addiction prediction, highlighting the potential for innovation in this space. While acknowledging that AI’s predictive capabilities are still being developed, she emphasizes the importance of ethical implementation and the need to understand the lived experiences of those struggling with addiction. Her research involves interviewing addiction sufferers and analyzing their behavior to inform the development of more effective AI-driven solutions.
Navigating the “Wild West” of crypto iGaming
Miruna’s experience extends to the rapidly evolving world of crypto-licensed iGaming. She describes it as a niche market, often perceived as a “wild west” due to its high risk and dynamic nature. The anonymity afforded by crypto is a key draw, allowing users to bypass regulations and avoid the stigma associated with gambling.
However, this anonymity also presents challenges, particularly in the realm of affiliate marketing. Miruna notes that many affiliate sources in the crypto space are new and untrustworthy, leading to a higher probability of scams. The instant and untraceable nature of blockchain transactions makes reversing fraudulent activity incredibly difficult.
Ethical management in a high-risk environment
Miruna’s management style is heavily influenced by her belief that “people don’t leave companies, they leave managers.” She advocates for a flexible and trust-based approach, contrasting it with strict, controlling management styles that she believes are ultimately counterproductive.
Her approach was tested when team members fell victim to scams, a common occurrence in the high-risk crypto environment. Instead of penalizing employees, as company policy initially dictated, Miruna chose to offer support, reassurance, and additional training. She implemented security training that included situational exams inspired by intelligence testing, focusing on identifying common scammer behaviors such as urgency, impersonation, and the use of Skype contact. This proactive approach significantly reduced instances of team members being scammed.
Scaling trust – Building a chain of command
Scaling a trust-based management approach to larger teams presents a significant challenge. Miruna suggests creating a chain of command with team leaders who mirror the manager’s approach, maintaining personal relationships within smaller teams. While acknowledging the difficulty of finding individuals who share the same management style, she emphasizes that leading by example is the most powerful tool.
Key Takeaways:
- Responsible Gaming is paramount: The industry needs innovative solutions, including AI, to address gambling addiction proactively.
- Ethical management is crucial: Trust, flexibility, and support are essential for motivating employees and fostering a positive work environment.
- Crypto iGaming presents unique challenges: The anonymity and high-risk nature of the crypto space require vigilance and robust security measures.
- Continuous learning is essential: Staying informed about emerging technologies and scam tactics is crucial for navigating the evolving landscape of iGaming.
Miruna Pandele’s journey is a compelling example of how a passion for positive impact, combined with a willingness to learn and adapt, can lead to a successful and fulfilling career in the dynamic world of iGaming. Her research and insights offer valuable lessons for operators, regulators, and anyone interested in promoting responsible gambling and ethical business practices.
This article is based on an episode of the CEOpen mic podcast. For the full conversation and more insights, tune in to CEOpen mic on YouTube and Spotify – don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
